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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 188
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Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Hi guys, when I was in college, I took an engineering ethics course where we did a case study on the Ford Pinto. The vehicle had a design flaw where two bolts would penetrate the tank if the vehicle was in a severe enough rear end collision.
When I saw that the gas tank in my c10 was directly behind the seat, it immediately made me think of that college case study lol I wanted to check in with you guys on how much of a safety concern is the placement of the tank in our trucks? I know they do make relocation kids to get the tank out of the cabin but wonder what the general consensus is here with the oem tank placement. Thank you!
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1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#2 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Zero concern.
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#3 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,634
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
This ^^^^^^^. I have owned my truck 47 years and for most of those, it was my daily driver. Had I been concerned, I might have relocated the tank -- or sold the truck. In fact, relocating it to the rear of the truck could have been a bad move, what with the odds of getting rearended. Which brings us back to your Pinto example.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,707
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
The cab is the safest place for the gas tank. If you're out doing truck stuff there's no chance of damaging the tank with rocks, debris, etc. Contrary to what makes exciting TV shows and movies, gas tanks rarely explode in accidents. I like driving around and hearing the gas slosh around in there. More concerned about lack of air bags (not suspension kind).
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: saskatoon, planet earth
Posts: 690
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
When I was a young guy in small town Saskatchewan there was a body shop a couple blocks from my house.
Any vehicle that was in a crash would be hauled to the back lot until the insurance company dealt with the claim. I saw some really badly messed up 67 -72s. Rollovers, head on collisions, T-bone collisions, you name it. The only trucks I saw that had a fire were owned by guys who couldn't make the payments and burnt it for the insurance money. Is it impossible the gastank might catch fire? No. Highly unlikely. If you're worried about safety, don't drive like an idiot and install 3 point seatbelts. Or, buy Volvo.
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I got a bench seat baby, you don't have to sit over there. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Pleasanton CA
Posts: 188
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Great replies, thank you all!
I’ll retire any concerns I had
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1969 C10 Shortbed |
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#7 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,137
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Not to be worried about. Pintos were not really a problem either. Only as seen on TV. My dad put his 72 HiBoy F250 through the backend of a Seventy something Pinto hatchback. The front bumper was against the front seat backs in the Pinto when everything stopped moving.
The Pinto guy was backing up on a snow covered two lane highway with 3 foot berms on each side, with oncoming traffic, in the dark, because "He slid past his mailbox." My dad was unhurt and was able to back the truck off of the Pinto and drive home. This occurred about 3 months before the whole Pinto fire thing blew up in the news. The only car that I know of that is a concern is the 1992 to 1996 (I think) Ford Crown Vic police cars. Those cars did have a problem when getting hit in the rear. Several police officers died after crashes when their car caught fire and the officers were unable to get out. There were others who were badly injured as well. Fuel Safe in Bend, OR made thousands of fuel cells for police departments after the class action lawsuits started.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#8 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,402
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
It wasn't actually a design flaw with the Pinto. It was just easier to install the screws in the clamps that held the flex hose from the fill part with the cap to the tank. They were supposed to be installed pointing down, to avoid this very problem.
I worked for a couple of Chevrolet dealers right out of high school. We got service bulletins from all GM car lines. There was a recall on Opels because even in a low-speed collision the windshields would pop out. Turns out that the guys on the line were using grease to aid in installing the windshields, instead of the water-based lube, which would dry out and/or rinse off. The real issue with fuel leaks was with saddle tanks on our trucks. That was also overblown. Yes, they could leak if hit. But they didn't burst into flame like that Pinto in the "Top Secret" movie.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Fort Mohave, AZ
Posts: 367
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Back in the early 90's NBC faked a segment on exploding gas tanks in GM pickups involved in accidents.
Exploding Chevy Pickups And NBC Coverup
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1970 GMC 2500 700R Trans RideTech 4 link rear suspension - Air Bagged on all four corners 350 SBC 300hp Weiand Supercharger FiTech EFI |
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#10 | |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,634
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Quote:
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#11 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,237
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
If they're leaking vapor or worse it stinks, and I don't know that I'd smoke a cig under those conditions
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#12 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,469
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Much rather have the in cab tank versus the vulnerable side saddle bombs on the 1973-91 GM trucks
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1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration in progress... ![]() 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 41k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 60k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 264
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Kinda off topic , but if IRR I got a $1,000 rebate on a new GM vehicle because I owned a 74 chevy truck with gas tank issues .
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 2,337
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Why not research how many people have died in these trucks before worrying about it ? You have a much better chance of dying walking across the street.
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 3,018 feet above the SoCal/Mojave Desert region.
Posts: 361
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
People smoked more too back when. I was going to relocate a new tank under the bed, but decided to keep the original in the cab. I have no worries.
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,805
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Rolled a 72 when I was 16. Was knocked out cold being flung around the cab. Woke up hanging upside down suspended by the lap belt. Gas was dripping and puddling on the roof. Obviously nothing ignited it or I would be dead. Yes, I was young and driving recklessly. Want to test the suspension on current truck in Barstow to see how fast I can get up to trough the whoops. None the less I never want the possibility be in that situation again. I moved the tank in my current 72.
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Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 |
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#17 |
Senior Moment
![]() Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Pittsburg Ca
Posts: 4,138
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
I relocated my tank to the rear when I went LS. It was easer ,for me, to do the in tank pump that I wanted Plus more weight in the Rear. I’ve had this truck for 34 years, have Never been concerned about Safety when the tank Was in the Cab.
Now that this question Has come up I’m thinking it’s probably Safer in the Cab in a Rear end collision. I’m hoping I never find out
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1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2019 GMC Diesil Dually. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565 |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis
Posts: 618
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
As already noted above that **** was faked.
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67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis
Posts: 618
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
As I recall it was $1500 & utterly worthless to me. Couldn't afford a new truck & wouldn't have bought one if I could. As ALWAYS the lawyers were the only ones to get anything in the end.
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67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 82
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
The reason you no longer see fuel tanks mounted in the passenger compartment of vehicles is in the event the filler hose gets torn off in a crash you could have fuel released into the cabin. On our trucks it is certainly conceivable that if one were side swiped the filler could be ripped off. Whether or not that would start a fire is for Mythbusters.
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#21 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,469
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Yes, the NBC Dateline episode was massaged to have a predictable outcome.
What hasn't been faked is that an estimate of around 800 individuals that have been purportedly killed in these trucks due to fire in a side impact collision since 1972. What also has not been faked is that over the years GM has paid out around 500 million dollars to the victims' families. To blindly believe that the side saddle fuel tank design is even remotely safe is ridiculous.
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1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration in progress... ![]() 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 41k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 60k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: washington
Posts: 2,243
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
I always thought that if the truck rolled on the driver's side and slid down the highway, it would be disastrous. I have been driving the 1967-72 trucks since I received my license and never observed a fire in one.
That said, I moved my tank to the back for "safety", the weight transfer and I didn't want to listen to a noisy fuel pump with an LS conversion. I weighed my axles and 2300 on the front and 1700 on the rear for a total of 4000 lbs with fuel and me in it. |
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#23 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 8,101
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Quote:
What time were you on the scales, Before or after Lunch?. ![]() That would make a Big difference with me. ![]()
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________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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#24 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis
Posts: 618
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
Quote:
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67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,076
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Re: Gas tank in the cabin - safety
If we think about the 73-91 record of the squares we may want to think they were pretty safe. Similarly, gas tanks were in the cab for about 50 years until 72. Hmm.
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